Johnathan Butler, a College of Communication and Information (CCI) alumnus with a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication from Florida State University, recently participated in the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s TakeOff Accelerator program for his Sport-Tech startup, Scoreworthy.
Scoreworthy allows sports fans to earn exclusive rewards and experiences from local small businesses during gameday matches and events. The accelerator program helps startups hone in on business models, positioning, and go-to-market strategies over 12 weeks, leading up to a demo day where participants have opportunities to connect with potential customers, clients, partners, or vendors. CCI Alumnus Johnathan Butler and founder of Scoreworthy, speaks on the event and how he got involved.
“I discovered the Nashville Entrepreneur Center a couple of years ago, and I knew they had an accelerator program that I had applied to before but wasn’t quite ready for,” said Butler. “So now, here is Scoreworthy. We had the inkling of the idea back in 2024; began validating and testing it while submitting the initial idea to the TakeOff Accelerator in late 2025; and was accepted into the program in January 2026.”
However, the development of a startup like Scoreworthy had to be created, tested, and revised one step at a time. Butler recalls having the initial spark for Scoreworthy back in 2024 while watching a morning news segment.
“I was watching a CBS Morning News segment about Harry’s Bar and Grill, and how they had deep roots within the Detroit sports community, and two thoughts came to mind,” said Butler. “1. Sports fandom goes beyond just the stadium — it generates local economic activity, behavior, and overall community. 2. If you’re supporting a team through the good, bad, ugly, indifferent, and weird, that type of loyalty should be rewarded. And how many fans and small businesses feel the same way?”
Butler has continued developing the sports-tech platform and is gearing up for the company’s first pre-seed fundraise. By recognizing the value of fan loyalty, consumer engagement, and sports communities, Butler was able to transform an everyday experience into a business venture designed to reward dedicated supporters. He reflects on how CCI influenced his thought process.
“CCI gave me more insight not only into the world of marketing but also how vital subjects like market research, integrated storytelling, and strategic communications are in telling better brand stories, which is very important for startups,” said Butler.
Butler’s drive to pursue entrepreneurial ventures was shaped long before his time in college. From an early age, he was encouraged to recognize his potential and approach opportunities with confidence, laying the foundation for the success he would later achieve as an entrepreneur.
“I was in the fifth or sixth grade, and our teacher, Mr. Philip Shade, was a great mentor who truly believed in sharing wisdom or “planting seeds.” He would say things like, “Remember you are somebody, and you have talent, worth, and value,” said Butler. “But, there is one quote that he said that still resonates with me today. He exposed me to the world of entrepreneurship and business ownership and asked, ‘Son, why play for the team when you can own it?’ Ding. Lightbulb. My 5th-grade mind exploded. I honestly believe that one question, that one moment, sent me on a path I didn’t know I needed to be on.”
From its humble beginnings to today, Scoreworthy has experienced significant growth, earning partnerships and opportunities made possible through Butler’s drive, vision, and passion. As the startup continues to grow, Butler has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
“We have participated and plan to participate in various accelerator programs, having active customer discovery interviews with fans, small businesses, and sports teams across Atlanta, Nashville, Tallahassee, and Los Angeles, and gearing up for our initial raise,” said Butler. “Scorworthy is going to be a global affair, because what’s the point of all this if not world domination? [laughs]”
